Known as the "Venice of Portugal", Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by the Central Canal running through town.

Once a big sea port, Aveiro lies in a region of valleys cut by mountains and fertile lagoon plains.

 
The city of Aveiro is crossed by canals, which give it quite an individual character, and in the old quarter tourists can see the quaint whitewashed houses of the fishermen and visit, early in the morning, the Mercado do Peixe, an auction of the fish caught during the night.

Of all the boats seen in the area, the moliceiro is the most elegant, being perfectly lined, painted with bright colours and with often ingenious and humorous decorations.

The fine beach of São Jacinto lies close to woodland and the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve, with well preserved dunes and varied fauna and flora.

Those who appreciate good food can taste the delicious eel stew and a variety of sea and lagoon fish soups.

But Aveiro is specially known for its sweets: the most famous is "ovos moles" (soft eggs), sweetened egg yolk in candied casings shaped like fish or barrels.     

Figueira da Foz a popular holiday resort town with a 16th Century fort.

Figueira da Foz is one of the best beaches of the Silver Coast, because of the large extension of sand, luxurious residences, the Casino, daily shows and also nautical activities for the lovers of this kind of sport.

Figueira is a city in huge progress but always keeping the antique charm.

Located between Lisbon and Porto, near by Coimbra, worldwide known for its ancient University and culture

From the mountain Serra da Boa Viagem, we can enjoy the exceptional view to Figueira da Foz.  

The area is mainly residential and contains typical examples of homes through the ages besides a 15th Century church.

Figueira da Foz, Summer resort on the mouth of the Mondego river with long, sandy beaches and water sports facilities.

A stunning beach, typical fishermen houses and steep cliffs over a bright blue sea have made this fishing town become a popular holiday resort, mainly due to its traditional character.

Fishermen can still be seen wearing unusual shirts and black trousers, and their wives seven layers of petticoats: you can watch them mending nets or drying fish on the beach.

Near Nazaré lies the beautiful beach of São Martinho do Porto: its enclosed and safe bay makes it a favourite holiday destination, specially for families with children.

Possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal, Nazaré is unique in many ways.

It doesn't contain the architectural treasures or grandiose monuments prevalent in other Portuguese towns, but it has an atmosphere of times gone by, contentment and traditions which continue to thrive, which make it a special place to visit

The wooden fishing boats still used today are colourful and narrow with curved prows and decoration evocative of the first fishermen of the area

Foz do Arelho is a small coastal resort close to the attractive and historic spa town of Caldas da Rainha, built on Queen D. Leonor order.

All facilities can be found and there is plenty of shopping choice.

Nearby is the charming, medieval walled town of Obidos.

Foz do Arelho has a beautiful beach with a tidal lagoon on one side and the Atlantic on the other side.

Wonderful beach for children.

It is an unspoiled area so far but is fast becoming more popular, particularly since it now has a motorway link with Lisbon.

There are golf courses within less than half an hour and  plenty of other activities in the area.

Resembling an open-air museum, this walled medieval town has been preserved to look like a picture-postcard, with its monuments, narrow winding streets and whitewashed houses with windows and terraces full of flowers.

Its charm has crossed the ages: in 1282, the town was given as a present by king Dinis to his Spanish bride, Isabel of Aragon.

From Porta da Vila, the southern town gate whose interior is decorated with 18th century tiles, to Rua Direita, a street filled with small shops where visitors can buy traditional ceramics, wicker baskets, miniature windmills and handmade embroidery and woollen articles, and to the 15th century royal castle that has been converted into a Pousada.

Once the wedding present of a queen, the preserved medieval town of Óbidos lying 100 km north of Lisbon is without doubt one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements.

Walking the ramparts, visitors can enjoy views of windmills, vineyards and surrounding farmlands.

In the residential area below, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses supporting terracotta roofs.

The shops are piled high with local handicrafts, while in spring the town is ablaze with geraniums, morning glories and bougainvillaea.